EPMD

Both hailing from Long Island, New York, the duo signed with Fresh/ Sleeping Bag Records and released their first album in 1988 called “Strictly Business” which featured a single with the same name that became a huge hit. The album sold over 500,000 copies and reached certified gold. The duo established themselves apart from the rest of the hip-hop world by lifting more rock and funk; with the follow up album, “Unfinished Business,” doing just as well as the first, also reaching certified gold. Unfortunately when Fresh/ Sleeping Bag Records went under, the duo ran into some trouble with the two albums were acquired by Priority/EMI Records and the record contract was acquired by Def Jam. In 1990 and 1992 they released “Business As Usual” and “Business Never Personal.”

In January 1993 EPMD split, although the reasons were mostly speculation; meanwhile, each pursued a solo career. The duo then reunited in 1997 with the release of their record “Back In Business” followed in 1999 with “Out Of Business” which was slated to be their last LP; again with each of them pursuing a solo career and each releasing a solo album. A second reuniting was brought about by a live performance at the Rock The Bells Tour in October 2006. Two months later they released a new song, “The Main Event,” and in 2008 made an announcement that a new album was being worked on. The album was released at the end of 2008, followed by a series of live performances.